Katies bits and blogs: Wrist fusion surgery :S

28th July 2011, the day I went in for my wrist fusion surgery.

I have suffered with arthritis for 9 years now and its finally eaten away at my wrist enough to need some work done. I had the tough choice to make between a replacement and fusion, and after much googling and chats with the doctor I went for the latter as its my non dominant wrist.

I had barely any movement before my op, and any I did have brought about a lot of really sharp excruciating pain.

So I settle into my bed in wrightington hospital, slightly crapping myself, and the doctor comes round to explain what’s going to go down. The bits I managed to listen to between fretting was that they were going to go with a rod instead of a plate, and as I had a painful ulna head they would wap that off aswell.

About half 11 I went down for my op, had a nerve block in my arm which completely numbed the whole arm, and was put to sleep. A couple of hours later I was coming round in recovery and gasping for a brew so I got wheeled back to the ward.

I couldn’t feel any pain thanks to the nerve block, I just felt a bit weighed down by the massive elbow length cast that was put on.

I was always under the impression that I would be a day case and could go home later on, but because id had a drain put in that wasn’t to be the case.

Everything was going ok til about 2am when I started being able to move my fingers a bit, over the next 2 hours the block really wore off till I could move all my fingers and start to feel a bit of pain, so I started on the painkillers (2 paracetemol and 2 codeine) which got to work enough to let me sleep.

The next morning I was greeted by some discomfort. I was encouraged to move my fingers as much as possible to stop them stiffening up, which did hurt quite a bit.

I later had my cast changed, which was pretty gross, although I did sneak a look at my wound which looked about as pretty as it could under the circumstances! All 12 stitches of it! They took my drain out and the nurse informed me that the surgeon had put a k-wire in, which after googling once I got home I realised was to hold it all together (not looking forward to having that taken out!)

So then I was to be on my way. Elbow cast, sling and a handful of painkillers in tow.

Over the next few days I decided to stop taking the codeine as it was proper tripping me out. I also noticed the bruising coming out on my fingers which were now a lovely shade of green and purple.

Its now a week after my op and I have to say that it’s a lot less painful than I was expecting. I had really terrible constant pain before so this is a breeze! Its uncomfortable, a bit sore and id say occasionally painful when I probably move it a bit too much, nut nothing on the level as flair up pain.

Obviously everything’s a struggle, I have to have my dinner cut up, take about half an hour to get dressed and can only type with one hand, but I feel positive about it all and cant wait for my next appointment in a weeks time to have a look at how its healing and have a smaller cast put on (which I was promised would be purple!)

I have no idea how its going to be after its healed, but if I had any advise it would be not to worry about the op itself or the first weeks recovery as ive found the worst bit is boredom from being off work!

Update: 2 weeks on now and I've just come home from having my stitches out. its all healing really well apparently. The pain's still very manageable, most of the time now I don't even take any painkillers. I'm having a bit of trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep, but getting there eventually. I've been signed off sick for another 4 weeks. I've had my elbow length cast put back on for one more week then I get it changed for a shorter one. Then I see the doctor again in 4 weeks.

Update: 3 weeks on now and time for another hospital visit. i have experienced a bit of pain this week, probably because it was poked about a bit last week!
I had my elbow cast cut off and my wound cleaned up. it was a really weird feeling as the incision site was strangely numb, needless to say it nearly made me faint (again!) but it looked really tidy and was healing well. i had a new purple cast put on and made my way home.